Castle Rock Middle School, Castle Rock WA

Original Research by School Decision on Castle Rock Middle School

Castle Rock Middle School serves grades six through eight in the small city of Castle Rock, Washington, a community situated along the Cowlitz River at the heart of the state’s timber country. The town markets itself as the “Gateway to Mount St. Helens,” and its compact footprint means the middle school sits within the same walkable area as the historic downtown, city hall, and the riverfront trail system. The working‑class, small‑town character is rooted in a history of dairy farming and lumber manufacturing, and the district, which also includes an elementary school, an intermediate school, and the high school, appears stable; a search for recent district‑level changes turned up little of lasting impact.

Enrollment at the middle school draws a predominantly white student body, with a noticeable share of Hispanic students and a smaller mix of students who identify with two or more races. The share of students who qualify for free or reduced‑price lunch is substantial, reflecting the community’s economic profile. No data were available on the number of students with individualized education programs or English learners, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the size of those populations and the support services in place.

On state assessments given in the 2024‑25 school year, Castle Rock Middle School’s proficiency rates in both math and English language arts fell well below the midpoint among the six districts in Cowlitz County. Math proficiency was notably low across all three grades, with the weakest showing in eighth grade. English language arts proficiency was higher than math but still modest, ranging roughly in the upper twenties to low thirties. Science proficiency for eighth graders also landed in that same range. The school’s overall performance index placed it in the bottom quartile of the county, a pattern a parent may want to explore further by asking about academic interventions, curriculum supports, or how the school identifies and assists students who are not yet meeting standards.

The data provided no information on discipline rates, chronic absenteeism, staffing ratios, or course offerings such as electives or advanced classes. Because this is a middle school, the absence of a graduation rate is expected and not a concern. Still, the lack of detail on programs like art, music, or career exploration means families should inquire directly about the breadth of opportunities beyond core academics.

Housing in Castle Rock is moderately priced relative to the state median, with a mortgage payment estimated to be roughly in line with the local rent level. The area’s unemployment rate has been stable, and the national trend of rising shelter costs is reflected locally, but the community remains more affordable than many parts of Washington.

For a family seeking a small‑town public school where the student body is predominantly white and a majority of families qualify for income‑based meal support, Castle Rock Middle School offers a straightforward academic pathway within a close‑knit district. The low proficiency rates relative to county peers, however, signal that a parent would want to understand what academic support structures exist and how the school is working to raise student achievement. The community itself is compact, walkable along the riverfront, and rich in outdoor recreation, but the school’s performance gaps suggest it may be a better fit for families who are prepared to be active partners in their child’s learning.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 622%

School 22% · District 22%

▼ 15 pts below state median

Grade 722%

School 22% · District 22%

▼ 16 pts below state median · ▼ 11 pts below county median

Grade 814%

School 14% · District 14%

▼ 20 pts below state median · ▼ 13 pts below county median

English language arts

Grade 629%

School 29% · District 29%

▼ 19 pts below state median

Grade 733%

School 33% · District 33%

▼ 17 pts below state median · ▼ 13 pts below county median

Grade 831%

School 31% · District 31%

▼ 19 pts below state median · ▼ 13 pts below county median

Science

Grade 826%

School 26% · District 26%

▼ 16 pts below state median · ▼ 9 pts below county median

This schoolCastle Rock School District, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 5Lower-income31%Higher-income55%24 pp gap

Grade 6Lower-income25%Higher-income34%9 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income27%Higher-income42%15 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income27%Higher-income35%8 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 5Lower-income10%Higher-income13%3 pp gap

Grade 6Lower-income20%Higher-income24%4 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income19%Higher-income25%6 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income10%Higher-income18%8 pp gap